The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-06-04

Madge crept into bed the question
was settled that tomorrow the
money should find its way into the
DOCTORS hands and the cloud be lifted
from mothers face.
The morning found her resolution
unchanged, and as she trotted along
by Alice's side taking her morning
exercise, she determined to lose no
time. The sister parted with a kiss
at the usual corner. and then it wa
expected that Madge would go di-
rectly home, but to-day she turned
down another street and was soon
standing with beating heart upon the
doorstep of the DOCTORS house, where
she had sometig been sent on err
rands. Once 4 a51e her courage re-
turned, ana wren Df. SHOOK came in
she help up her head quite bravely.
"Well, Madge, nothing wrong
with father, | hope ?"
mo, sir, this is my own errand, 1
want to speak to you all by yourself"
There was a kind smile upon the
doctors face as he led her into his
private Office and lifted her into a
great easy chair.
"Now, Madge, what is it? 1 hope
you are not sick ?''
"No, am quite well, thank you,
but have brought you the money
to pay your bill." and she laid the
five silver dollars grayely down be-
fore him.
DIR. Shook looked at her keenly
through his glasses, while little
smile twitched his lips.
"Who sent you here, Madge ?"
mo one, | came all by myself.
Last night mother was crying, and L
asked Alice the reason, she told me
mother was worried about your bill
because there was no money--to pay
it." She had slipped down from the
big chair and was standing before
him looking into his face with eager
eyes one little hand, in its brown
mitten, resting upon his knee,
"Well," he said. inquiringly, as
she paused for breath.
"You know we are real poor since
father has been sick. One day mother
toIJ ,,S fatbnr bod f,;Iod an6 ho,e,
been sick with it ever since, although
/ hope you will cure him before long.
After that we were afraid we'd have
to move, but instead of that we sent
the servants away and put all the
fires out except in fathers room and
| the kitchen. Alice has to teach every
day, and we did not have one bit of
Christmas, but you must not tell
father. We never tell him anything
like this. Mother always begins to
sing when she goes into his room,
though sometimes she stops to wipe
the tears away outside the door. So
you see, when L heard there was no
money | knew that bill must be
paid, father says we must always pay
for everything we get, and | had all
that money Cousin Elsie sent me.
She is my godmother, you know, so
last night 1 made up my mind it
must get to you to-day, and there
it is"
She stopped now and stifled little
sigh, resolutely turning her eyes
from the tempting heap of silver
upon the table. The doctor with the
keenness of his profession, caught
sight and saw the ayerted gaze, read
ing plainly by these little signs the
sacrifice it had been. He had chill
dren of his own, and he knew all the
uses little girls had for money. But,
Madge what will you do without it Z
he asked. II can get on" she an
swered cheerfully "besides it is for
father, you know"
The doctor had drawn an envelope
from a pile npon the table, and was
gravely looking at the amount writ.
ten upon the paper it enclosed. He
smiled again, contrasting it with the
money she had brought. Madge was
regarding him gravely, too. The
thought of any insufficiency never
crossed her mind. She was only won
dering if there would be any change
"Madge." the doctor said after
awhile-he had been very busy tear.
ng up one piece of paper and writing
something upon another-'you are ,
brave little woman to want to hell
father. Many little girls would no
lhave cared whether the bill was pait
or not. Go home now, give this tt
your mother, and tell her l will call
as usual tomorrow. You can say il
is New Years present from your
SELF" Then as she reached the dool
he called her back. "Oh. forgot
here is your CHANGE" and to her de-
light handed her one of the silver
dollars. Her eyes fairly danced with
delight and she really could not walk